Jammu: A fierce encounter in Kishtwar broke out on Wednesday after terrorists opened fire on security forces during a cordon and search operation in the dense Kalaban forest area of Chatroo sub-division.
Officials said security forces launched the operation late Tuesday based on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of armed terrorists. When the team moved closer to the hideout, the militants started firing, triggering the ongoing gunfight.
The encounter in Kishtwar comes amid intensified anti-terror operations across Jammu and Kashmir. The J&K Police and security agencies have adopted a new, aggressive strategy aimed at dismantling the entire terror network including overground workers, sympathisers, and hawala fund handlers.
Security forces are also cracking down on drug smugglers and peddlers believed to be aiding terror outfits through illegal funding channels. The move follows the deadly April 22 Baisaran attack in Pahalgam, where 26 civilians, including 25 tourists, lost their lives in a Pakistan-backed assault.
Meanwhile, the army and BSF continue to guard the 740-km Line of Control (LoC) and 240-km International Border to prevent infiltration, drone drops, and movement of weapons and narcotics.
Officials said the ongoing encounter highlights the commitment of the security forces to eliminate terrorism and restore peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
–IANS
